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Used that is...
A mate of mine has a 2009 Spesh Pitch.
Obviously 26" wheels, original coil U-Turn Pikes but the pivots out back are all shot, the Fox Float shock is 'f***ed' and the 3x9 Sram X9 drivetrain is pretty much dead. Apart from that it's great! 😉
He wants to change it for something less fubared but only wants to spend around £500, which clearly isn't going to get that much. He wants FS ideally...these days it's pootling around and occasional trail centres.
Second hand gets way more than new at his budget but doesn't get as much as it would have done 15 months ago. Something that'll last a few years without major money needing to be chucked at it. Any suggestions what his best course of action might be? I'll send him a linky to this so he can tune in ...cheers
Bump
If I was in that position, I'd spend the money on the Pitch tbh. The geometry was ahead of its time in terms of reach, etc, and for £500 used I doubt there's much better out there.
It's a bit crap at the moment but to some extent its a question of if they want to put good money into a potential money pit.
Anything for £500 with the use of a Pitch sounds unrealistic for anything isn't going to start breaking and still stuck with 26er parts that are becoming increasingly difficult to get.
He wants FS ideally…these days it’s pootling around and occasional trail centres.
Despite having 2 perfectly good Enduro FS bikes I spend way more time pootling, trail centres and bike parks on my aggressive HT.
Second hand 650b hard tail frame then swap over existing wheels etc replace the broken bits and upgrade bits over time.
That's a really tough brief TBH.
Any secondhand FS at that kind of money is very unlikely to last a few years without further expense. So spending on his existing bike does look like the best option.
Or increasing the budget to a more sensible level. Possibly accepting a hardtail at the same time.
Pitches were / are great. I doubt you'd top that with a £1000 budget let alone £500 in the current market.
Service the shock and get new drivetrain (if you can find some).
Or, save the money and pull together £1500 when you can to get something nice second hand.
What is the best cheap option for the drivetrain?
1x10, 1x11, Sram, Shimano? The only salvageable part would be the cranks but then it gets messy deciding what NW ring will fit etc - just bin and replace the lot? As far as the bearings go, I've just looked online and the cheapest set is £50, then getting someone to replace them so there's prob £100+ gone just there...bloody bikes 😉
Deore 1x12 appears to be available (possibly only on ebay), gets you a whole drivetrain pretty cheap and really good kit. Circa £150 (but can't look at ebay on the work computers so YMMV)
Bearings £50 and replaceable at home if you have the tools, otherwise best you get a local quote for the labour.
Shock service about £100, cheaper at home but you may not fix the bit that's broken if you're not experienced. Might get a good deal on a second hand shock about the same price, but run the risk of that going pop. Could probably afford to service the forks as well within the budget.
I'd look for Deore 1x10 or 1x11 instead, as it'll go on a HG freehub.
for the budget and use you describe, I'd be looking for a hardtail. I saw a good spec On One Parkwood 29er on FB the other day for £650 in Gateshead. Geo and rear hub is a bit outdated, but it's still a hoot to ride.
@rascal I have a 2017 Merida One Twenty I'd part with for £500, Fox fork and shock, XT drive train, 27.5 wheels and a dropper post.
Drop me a DM?
If it's good to go, I'd consider the Merida offer a great deal in the current climate!
dogthomson - I tried replying but it's not sending! Can you try me?